Ear muff



E. BERG Sept. 9, 1952 EAR MUFF Filed Nov. 22, 1950 INVENTOR. flan/ze 5e/y Patented Sept. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE,

2,609,544 VEAR MUFF Elaine Berg, Chicago, Ill. Y Application November 22, 1950, Serial No. 197,043

The present invention relates to ear. muifs, and is particularly concerned with an improved construction of ear muifs,the securing means for whichis also adapted to keep the hair out of the face of the wearer.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved ear muff construction which is adjustable upon its securing means so as to be located to engage the ears of any and all persons who may wear the ear muifs.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved ear muff construction which is reversible, although the ear muff provides a pocket on one side for receiving the ear, the other or outer side being substantially smooth in contour until it is reversed, when opposite conditions prevail.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved ear muff construction which is very simple, and which requires a minimum amount of labor or stitching while still providing a pocket for receiving the ear, and providing a relatively firm structure surrounding said pocket for engaging the side of the head'of the wearer about said ear to exclude cold air from the ear.

Another object of .the invention is the provision of an improved ear 4muli having a suitable frame of suicient depthto form a cavity for the ear, and a loosely tting covering in which the cupping of the loosely fitting material surrounding the frame provides a cavity for the ear.

Another object of the invention is thegprovision of an improved ear muli construction which is ornamental in appearance, which is characterized by the absence ofmetal or other parts that are cold o r rigid and uncomfortable to wear, and which is adapted to have its securing means so located that it keeps the hair of the wearer in a position backwardly of the forehead and eyes, or prevents the hair from being blown about by the wind, in case the wearer prefers not to wear a hat. j

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings accompanying the speciiication,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the wearers head in dotted lines and illustrating a set of ear muifs embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the left ear muif of Figure l, taken on the plane of the line 22 of FigureV 1, lookinginthe direction of the arrows;

8 Claims. (Cl. Srl-209) :aVVV

Fig; 3 is a view similar to .'igurelfshowingv the same ear muif in a reversed positionfwith the furry lor fuzzy covering'onjthe inside;

Fig. 4 is a viewv in perspective vvof theforming ring of the ear muil? in its"Y preferred form, -showing also in dotted lines the location of the securme band: y 1 e Fig. 5 isV an inside elevational'viewof a modication in which the muifs are not adjustable on the band, but'the lengths of the two band portions are adjustable to adjust therelative positionsofthemuffs;

Fig. -6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through an ear muif` onY a diametrically located plane showing the arrangementofthe rsecuring band in its preferred form when Ait passes through the slots in the forming ring and throughv unsecured ,portions of the seam;

Fig. 7 isa view similar to Figure v6,' showing y the relation of the parts shifted to form the cup on the fabric side of the ear muffs; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the adjustable portion of the head band. I n Y 1 Referring tov Figure f1, the present 'ear'muff assembly preferablyincludesa securing band 1U, which is provided with a pair of'similar ear muffs Il,` slidably mounted onthe band s orthat they may be adjusted upward or downward upon both side portions of the band to fit overgthe earsvof any wearer. -j

The band I0 is preferably a relatively wide strap of tape or fabric which is provided at one end with a flat buckle l2. through which the other end is threaded and secured'tojadjustlthe length and relative tightness ofthe band about the head. K Y y 'Ihe band Hl is preferably made of elastic fabric of the type having threaded covered strands of rubber etxending longitudinallygso that after anl approximateadjustment of length has been. obtained the ear muii's'may be put on or removed by stretching the band. TheVv necessary or 'desired tightness is achieved by the resilient nature of the band.V Y g In some embodiments of the invention the'lband may bev drawn tight merely by adjustmentvof the band in its buckle without lnecessarily being resilient. l l

Referring to Figure 8, this view shows the'band provided with a buckle I2 to'which oneend of theband is secured by astitched loop 113-, the fabric then extending to an oval, rigid sliding link I4, through whichit passes and goes back Vthrough band passed through it and secured by'stitching 3 a short loop at I5. The relatively long loop :l5 between buckle i2 and link i4 permits adjustment of the tension or stretch of the band about the head.

faenas/ia forming ring at all times, 'whether the pocket is formed in the fabric side or the fur side, but

the band may in Figure 6 exert :some pressure upon the ear in the pocket since the band is located half way between the edges of the forming ring.

The embodiment of Figure 2 has the advantage that the band is lwholly outside the ear, exerting force on v the/forming ring rather than the ear, but whenfreversed as shown in Figure 3, the band must be made more loose because it encompasses or traverses the ear in the pocket.

plastic, or it may be out from thin walled tubes of sufficient size.

The width of the ring from edge to ledge iS sufficient to form the framev for an ear cavity., such as that indicated at i8, in Figure 2; or 19in" Figure 3, of sufficient depth to receive all parts `v of the ear without unduly compressing the ear when the edges 2Q or 2l of the ear muff engage the side ofthe head.

For examplathe ring` may Amade of ma? terialS;4 to 1/2 inchor more in width.. rEhe cir-A cumference of the'forining ring H is preferably ring it is provided With'a pair of dian'netricaliy opposite slots 22, 23, for passing the .bandV liiso that the `pull ofthe band is at all times'exerted on some partof'lthe forming-ring instead of being impressed only Yupon the fabric.

Various ways ofstitching txngetherA or otherwise securing the fabric orV other-discs.. may be; em-A ployed," Y.'

'I he ear inuit covering maybe formed ofi two different types of fabric,.such as an'inner layer of wool orfcotton felt l.242,.and`an outerelayer of nap covered fabric or `natural lanibs woot-25, the lan'ibs` wool beingcarried. by the hide vor leather 26 which forms its-base.

The two cover memberslt and are in the form of 'circular discs whichl are sufficiently larger. relative to the rforming ring il," so that either of the covers 2'4 or 25"`may be-puiled over on the'outside of the lforrriing ring while the other is depressed into the forming ring.

This is permitted by the oversize ofthe ear mu cover, which has a clearance between the forming ring and the seam or A'line of stitching 27, that extends all Ythe way around the ear mu in the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3.

In these embodiments the forming ring il" is not slotted, but the band l0 passes through slots 28, 29 in the lambs wool cover'2i5, on the outside of the forming ring I1. The slots 28, 29 are diametrically opposite and of sufficient length to pass the band l0. loosely lfitting covering into the ringV 'ir'afw'sl the other side of the loosely fitting coverngfover .the edges of the ring; and this forms a lined cavity in the ring, which keeps the stitched edges of the disc toward dthe cavity side, as shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Figure 6, this shows a further improved construction over Figures 2 and 3,"inVV formed by a lack of stitching at'the pointsV where theband I0 emerges. These vpoints are again preferably diametrically opposite to each other. The embodiment -of Figure 6 has theadvantage that j theA pull ofnthe band is exerted lupon V the- The pushing of one side of the `Referring to Figure 5, this is a modification inwhich the securing band includes four pieces or" theband material, indicated at 30, 3l, 32, 33,

4all of which are stitched to the ear muifs along the same line' of stitching which secures the two parts of *the ear muif together at 3d, 35, 35, 37, respectively.

The band portions 3B land v3i are preferably shorter; beingl intended 't'o' go. about the lower rear partY ofthe, head, and vtlrieyare secured by an .adjustableibuckle' 38; 1 the band portionsl 32 and 33 Vwhichpass over the top of the head are preferably longer and are secured by av suitable hat, adjustable buckle 39.

Thus adjustmentfo'f the vposition of the ear muffs on the head n'iay be attained. by means of band portions stitched tothe ear muffs, while utilizing'suitable lengths andvadjustable buckles without thev muissliding on the bands. This modication has the advantage that after a suitable adjustment of the buckleof an elastic band in each caseI the earniuifs 'cannot get o ut of adjustment for any particular wearer.

The method of making the ear muis is preferably as follows:

Blank.circular discsl ofthe innerfabric 24 and the outer. fur Apiec'zeZ'arebla'fifiked or cut outof the-fabric' and fur; respectively, in circular form and' providedv/ith'the banclslots.. if such slots are to be used. l The discs for both sides of the-ear Vmay be the same'size and shape; but when one cside is pushed into the ring, as shown in the drawings, which were' .made'rom actual devices, they 'may appear toY be lof 'different sizes.

"The forming visplaced 'between the two layers and 25,! and t'heslaclr4 or clearance be- V 1 tween the edgesandlthe forming ring is sufficient 50l to permitthe Aedges 'of the .two layers to be stitched togethergby any typeof sewingmachine.

yThe type of V'stitching employed for sewing fur may also ,befused'andfthis provides a protection again'stfrave'lling of the inner layer of fabric.

Whenlthe bandis to be stitched to the ear muif byfthe same linefof stitching, the ends ofv the band are, of course, lcatedbetween the two coversy and simultaneously'stitched in place` If the 'muif isto be slidablly 1nou nted on the band, then the'band is passed through the slots provided for it after the stitching has been-accomplislhed.V `The stitching having been completed, the slack between the-forming ring and the stitching. is then taken lup by pushing one side orthe other of' .the Acover into the-forming,

ring to form the earcavityfior I9. y

The covers may be madeof.different color or different materials, (onebeingsuitable for sport wear and the other suitableffo more formal occasions. Some may preferito have the native lambs wool directly; engaging the ear-,and the head, and thisf,isjpei-mitted, byYthe reversible feature, while` othersmay prefer to vhave the ornamental appearance of the lambswool ony the outside with the felt fabric engaging the ear.

accadde All kinds of fabricsmay be employed, such as silks or flannels, which` are preferred by'some persons in contact with the skin, and the present ear muffs are thus adaptable to the tasteof practically any purchaser. I

AIheband-,of elastic material drawsthe edge 20 or Zlof4 the cup tightly against thehead about the ear,V thejcup providing a clearance for the earinside the mutt and excluding the exterior air.

VThe upper portion of the band tendstokeep the hairrof the wearer Afrom blowing in the wind and is another advantageousY feature for those whoprefer notte Wear any other headcoveringf.

lt will thus be observedthat I haveinvented an improved-ear muff constructionwhich :ls ad- .iustable tofall sides of heads, and which is also reversible in construction to permit selection of different fabrics usedon opposite sides-of the Hyunl The present muil? construction is simple, may `be economically manufactured. and utilizes a minimum amount of material, requiring a minimum amount of labor. It may thus be manufactured at a cost which is within the reach of children and students who prefer to Wear such ear muis to the exclusion of other head coverings, but it may also be made in more expensive fabrics to suit all tastes. 1

While I have illustrated'apreferred embodiment of my invention, many Amodications 'may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I dornotwish to be limited tothe precise details of construction setA forth, but desireto avail myself ofgallchanges withinY `the scopelof the appended claims. Y

Having thusndescribed my invention, what I Y claim as new and desire to secure by Letters the other side of the covering being drawn over 'the outside surface of the band, and the rstmentioned side of the covering engaging the inside of the other covering and engaging the inside surface of the band to provide a lining for the band about the ear, and means retaining the assembly in ear engaging position.

2. An ear muil assembly comprising an endless band of suicient width and diameter to form an ear accommodating cavity and to surround an ear in relation to its respective depth, Width, and length, and a loosely fitting covering enclosing said band and extending on both sides of the cavity and being suciently loose so that one side of the covering may be depressed into the cavity to form a recess for receiving the ear, the other side of the covering being drawn over the outside surface of the band, and the firstmentioned side of the covering engaging the inside of the other covering and engaging the inside surface of the band to provide a lining for the band about the ear, the said covering being formed of a pair of discs of warm material stitched together about their respective peripheries, and means retaining the assembly in ear engaging position.

3. An ear mu assembly comprising an endless band of sufficient width and diameter to form anear accommodating cavityyand to surround an ear'in relation ytoiits respective depth, width, and length.'and a: loosely fitting covering enclosing said band and extendingon-both sides ofthe Cad/ityV and being Suiciently loose so that one side of the covering may be ldepressed into the cavity to form a recess Lfor receiving theear, the other side of the covering -being Vdrawn. over the-outside 'surfaceg'of the band, and the rstmentionedtpsidegof,the covering engaging the inside.:of themothercovering and engagingljthe insidesurface of the-,band to. provide a, lining.. for the band about the ear,.the.said.covering; being formed ,ofv a' pair of gdiscsl. of warm material stitched together abouttheirI respective peripheries, one olsaididiscs comprising afabric,v and thev otherfofsaidzdiscs .comprising a fur, and the.- mui being reversible. .by merely depressing one or the other of .said discs into thel cavity, and means retaining the assembly in ear. engaging position.

4. An ear mui assembly comprising an endless band=of suflcient fwidthanddiameter to form an ear accommodating cavity and to surround Y an ear irri-,relation to .its respective depth, Width, and;,l engthand a'loosely fitting covering enclosing said band and'v extendingionboth sides of the cavity and beingsufficiently loose so that one side of 'thecovering may bey depressed into the cavityl to form a recess for receiving the ear, the other side of the covering being drawn over the outside surface ofthe band, and the rstmentioned side ofthe covering engaging the inside of thev other. covering and engaging the. inside lsurface ofthe band to provide a lining for the band about Y`the'.ear, the said covering being formed of a pair of discs of warm material stitched together about their respective peripheries, and a supporting tape passing through said ear muff assembly for supporting the ear muff on the head, said tape emerging between the two discs of material at their outer peripheries at a pair of diametrically opposite points.

5. In an ear muf assembly, the combination of an adjustable tape of suiicient length to pass over the top of the head, across the ears, and below the head at the rear of the neck, and a pair of ear muis slidably mounted on said tape, the tape passing through the ear muils and drawing the ear muis tightly against the head, each ear muff comprising a peripheral frame consisting of an endless band of suflicient width and diameter to form an ear accommodating cavity and to surround the ear in relation to its respective depth, width, and length, and a loosely tting covering enclosing said band and extending on both sides of the cavity, the said covering having one side depressed into the cavity to form a recess for receiving the ear when the band is drawn against the head, Without placing pressure on the ear.

6. In an ear mui assembly, the combination of an adjustable tape of suilcient length to pass over the top of the head, across the ears, and below the head at the rear of the neck, and a pair of ear muffs slidably mounted on said tape, Athe tape passing through the ear muis and ,drawing the ear mulls tightly against the head,

each ear muff comprising a peripheral frame consisting of an endless band of suiiicient width and diameter to form an ear accommodating cavity and to surround the ear in relation to its respective depth, width, and length, and a loosely tting covering enclosing said band and extending on both sides of the cavity, the said covering having one side depressed into the cavity to for-m a recess for receivingthe earwhen the handels drawn against the head, without .placing pressure on the ear, the saidA covering comprising' a pair of discs of warmimaterialstitohed together at their peripheries and positionedoutwardly from the periphery of said band: I ,Y

'1.' In an ear muf assemblyrtlie combination of an adjustable tape lof suilci'entlengthwtof pass overy the top of thelheadf-acrosst the;ears,.fand below the head1 atthe rear oflitnesneckand la pair ofear muffs'slidably' mounted on saidita'pe, the tape passing through. the ear' mulls; and drawing the ear inuis"tightlyn against the head, eachv ear mui comprising-a peripheral .frame consisting of an endlessband ofsuicient width and diameter .tof form an ,ear accommodating cavityand to surroundztheear'dn relation tofits respective .deptn, width; and length,` anda loosely fitting covering enclosing said .bandand vextendV lng on both sides of the cavity, the said covering having one side` depressed .into the cavity to form a recess for'receiving the ear when the band is drawn against the lieadwithout placing pressure on the ear-.,the,saidcovering'comprising a pair of discs ofxvarm material stitched together at their peripheriesl except at two `diameisrically l opposite portions vforming slots and Apositioned outwardly from the periphery/oisaid-:band the said tape emerging from ythe 'ear mufsrat said slots. ,Y 1,

8` In an Aeaflnrrmil assembly, ,thegcombination of an adjustable. tapeJof sufficient lengthV to pass over the top: of the `head, across vthe ears, and below the head at the rear of the neck, ,andra pair of ear muffe slidably.. mounted onisad tape,

the tape passing through the ear muffs and drawing the earmuffs tightly against the head, eachear muff comprising a peripheral frame consisting of an endless band of suioient width and diameter to form anH earaaccommodating Icavityandite.surround `the 'ear in relation toits respective depth, widthggand lengthgandy a loosely .ttinglcevring' lenclosing'said band and extending "on-both sdes'ofitne cavity-,f the vsaid covering having:onefside'depressedinto the cavity to form areoessfor receiving-the'ear when the band is vdrawn-1againstthe' headf' Without placing pressire Ynntliele'ar, thesaidcovering comprising a pair of-{di'scs vofv'variri `material `stitched together at theirl fpe'ripiieries and positioned outwardly jfrontli'e-periphery ofsaid' band, one of said discs comprsing'faannel fabric,- and the other of said Vdi'sosY comprising a-fur covered member, and the muis being reversible by merely depressing one or the other or said discs into the cavity to form the said recess; ELAINE BERG.

` faarannnoss errno The'following referencesare of record in the le'of this jpatent: y

NITED STATES PATENTS 

